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Indian Head Casino to open Feb. 4

Dedication for tribal members at 1 p.m.; open to public at 6 p.m.

Submitted illustration

Indian Head Casino opens its doors Saturday.

Holly M. Gill

Excitement is building for the Feb. 4 opening of the Indian Head Casino in Warm Springs.

With 500 slot machines and eight blackjack tables in the 18,000-square-foot gaming room, officials are expecting a positive response from the community.

"I believe the community of Warm Springs is very excited about the relocation of the casino to Warm Springs," said Deepak Sehgal, chairman of the Warm Springs Casino and Resort Enterprise Board of Directors.

The first week of January, the casino at Kah-Nee-Ta was closed, and equipment moved to the new casino on U.S. Highway 26, in Warm Springs, which will also feature the new Cottonwood Restaurant, Tule Grill Snack Bar, and Cedar Basket Gift Shop.

"This move has created a number of new jobs at Indian Head Casino and the majority of people hired were local," said Sehgal, noting that there are currently 215 employees working for Indian Head Casino, including all the staff necessary to run the restaurant, snack bar, gift shop and all the casino functions.

At the new location, he anticipates an three- to fourfold increase in income over the former Kah-Nee-Ta casino.

"This will help the local economy in other ways as well," he continued. "Hopefully more people will stop at the new casino and get to know the other facilities, such as the Warm Springs Museum, the Shops at the Plaza and other facilities we have in Warm Springs."

Kah-Nee-Ta Resort remains open to golfing, swimming, spa treatments, and relaxing visits.

"Kah-Nee-Ta seems a little lonely these days without the casino, but the staff are very busy getting ready for spring break," Sehgal said. "The vacated space at Kah-Nee-Ta will be put to good use in the future."

Saturday's opening will begin with a dedication at 1 p.m. for tribal members and specially invited dignitaries and guests. The facility will open to the public at 6 p.m.

A full, two-day grand opening will be held Feb. 24 and 25. "We are planning all kinds of activities for those two days," said Sehgal.

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